Even as the government claims that it has successfully enrolled 2.7 crore (80.86 pc) people in Kerala for Aadhaar, a majority of differently abled people in the state seems to have been left out of the exercise, because of lack of biometric compatibility.

According to the Differently Abled Persons Welfare Federation, nearly 70 per cent of such people in the state, are yet to be enrolled.Even as the government claims that it has successfully enrolled 2.7 crore (80.86 pc) people in Kerala for Aadhaar, a majority of differently abled people in the state seems to have been left out of the exercise, because of lack of biometric compatibility.

Narayanan, 61, a semi-paralysed former stunt artist from Pookkad, could not be enrolled as he failed to open his palm. After trying his luck repeatedly for several days, he left the camp with his brother, without completing the process.

“My brother stood in the long queue thinking that the officers at the camp would enrol him. Seeing his inability to open his palm, they sent him back saying that they would inform another date for enrolment. Till today we have not received any call,” said his brother Gangadharan.

The case of Biju from Perambra is no different. The visually impaired Biju who was unable to get his iris successfully scanned was denied Aadhaar enrolment at a camp in Koothali. Like Narayanan and Biju, several people with visual impairment and locomotor disability are finding it tough to get themselves enrolled.

“Aadhaar card may help us avail many services offered by the government. We have now urged the government to simplify the procedure,” said O Vijayan, State President of the Differently Abled Persons Welfare Federation.

M K Babu, a differently abled person, received a letter, which reminded him that the lack of Aadhaar will make him ineligible for pensions and other benefits from next month.